Five Towns abuzz in anticipation of Siyum Hashas

Some say that the Five Towns–Far Rockaway area is one of the premier Daf Yomi centers in the world. In Yerushalyim, there are over 30 shiurim a day in Zichron Moshe, but right here in our backyard we can boast over 60 daily Daf Yomi shiurim and already additional shiurim are in formation for the new cycle. It is believed that more people per capita learn the Daf in our neck of the woods than in any place in the world, outside Israel. You can start as early as 5 AM and go till midnight to attend a Daf shiur. These approximately 1000 learners of the Daf and their families are excitedly anticipating the historic siyum and simchas haTorah that is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium on August 1, 2012.

Many of the local shuls have chartered buses for the trip to the New Jersey Meadowlands stadium. There will even be a bus available for people who arrive by mass transit from work and need a ride home. For that bus you can contact Eliezer Cohen at ecohen@thmny.com. The cost is $16 for the one-way trip. I wish to note that participants should not bring anything extra to the stadium. Anything that exceeds the size of 12 x 12 x 12 will not be permitted entry. No strollers, no umbrellas. You will have to check the items at a trailer outside and pay $5, and consider the wait to retrieve the items. Although kosher food will be available, they are permitting sandwiches in clear plastic bags and plastic bottles of water and other drinks up to 20 ounces in size. No coolers etc.

One individual at this historic occasion was present at the first siyum hashas. His father took him at age 11 to the first siyum to see the Gedolei Hador of Europe. Although he has missed a few siyumim due to World War II, he has been present at most and has been a maggid shiur for over 30 years.

Although it is not official, there is still hope that Maran Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman shlit”a, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Orchos Torah, Bnei Brak, will attend. Rav Shteinman told askonim that it would be a big kavod for him to attend.

Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, who is completing the Daf Yomi himself, will recite the Hadran. Beth Medrash Govoha, which was started in the mid 1940s, is the largest yeshiva outside of Eretz Yisroel. Additional speakers will include Rav Yaakov Hillel of Yeshiva Ahavat Shalom in Eretz Yisroel; Rav Yisroel Hager, and Rav Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and former Chief Rabbi of Israel. Rabbi Lau is very excited about the opportunity to join in such a momentous event.

The program is not just speeches. There will be videos showing the history of the Daf and shiurim around the world, as well as a segment “Heros of the Daf.” Each person who prepares and gives a shiur or attends is a true hero and “they are the true guests of honor,” quipped an askan involved in organizing the event. Our small enclave has some real candidates for the title of “hero.”

There will also be hook-ups to other events around the world, including a simultaneous siyum in Yeshiva Chochmei Lublin. Although it will be 2 AM in Poland, they will be conducting a siyum in the hallowed building that was built by Rav Mayer Shapiro. Singing will be led by Reb Abish Brodt. The simcha of singing, dancing and davening with 90,000 other Yidden is truly an uplifting experience, one that may even propel you to accept the task for the next seven years.

Many who have completed shas before are contemplating how they can imbue the next cycle with additional limud and intensity. Some suggestions are: Start Dirshu, add the new Talmud Yerushalmi 7 year cycle that will enable one to be mesayim both Bavli and Yerushalmi on January 4, 2020. Torah is living so there are always additional venues to add. Not to mention that the simple effort of trying this time to stay awake for the entire shiur is a good goal.

Many people may be thinking of joining a Daf shiur for the next cycle. This is an excellent investment of time. However, this should not be a situation where you are dropping a seder or chavrusa. This should be an added commitment, with the goal of celebrating the completion of shas on January 4, 2020. Rabbi Kanner, who has been giving the Daf shiur at the White Shul for many years, has a “bring a friend” program for his participants. Each person has been encouraged to bring a new member on Friday, August 3, for Brachos. Since the local Five Towns-Far Rockaway community has so many shiurim and so many fine maggidai Daf yomi shiurim, it is certain that with minor effort, everyone can find a time and place that fits their schedule and taste.

What should you choose? When someone asks about the best time, most people agree that it is best if you learn first thing in the morning. This time slot is usually free from business and family obligations and allows you to get the Daf done without interference from running late at work, simchas and the myriad of things that crop up during the evenings.

One of the great things about learning the Daf, is the realization that, wherever you are in the world, you will find fellow Jews learning the same masechta and Daf as you. When on vacation, you can pop in to the local shiur and fit right in. With the new apps, there is the option to catch a shiur on your ipad. In Eretz Yisroel there are shiurim available in every language. In Paris and Rome it is difficult to find an English shiur, but Hebrew is available.

Although most people attend a steady Daf, there are many people who attend different shiurim on different days of the week or catch an alternate shiur depending on their schedule. On the LIRR there are two shiurim every morning, Monday to Friday. The last car of the 7:53 and 8:14 out of Inwood has been the home of the traveling Daf. These trains are direct to Penn Station so they allow unimpeded learning. The shiur starts after the passengers board in Woodmere 8:01/8:22. If you join the shiur, your travel time becomes learning time. Ask anyone who attends and they will tell you it is an enjoyable way to occupy commuting time. The early train, which has been led by Rabbi Pesach Lerner for over 20 years, is completing its third cycle on March 31, 2014.

Attendees are urged to use mass transit. Shuttle trains from Secaucus and busses from the Port Authority will be running throughout the day. Gates open at 4:30.